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Friday, August 20, 2010

Just Keep Swimming

So, I'm going to break with this week's theme and talk about something a little more upbeat. This year's conference was a little weird for me. A little conference, a little Harry Potter, a little Disney, a lot of foot pain and an overabundance on sweatiness. I may never set foot in Florida in July again, if I can help it. And yet, despite all that, I was determined to make the most of the trip.

While visiting Epcot, we rode on the Finding Nemo ride in the Living Seas. The ride is cute, you sit in a big clamshell and go through watching the characters dance around amongst the coral, then they even manage to project the characters into a tank with real fish so it looks like they're swimming around with the animals. Whether you're a seven year old girl or a sweaty thirty-something, you have to appreciate the 5 minutes of air conditioned darkness, and of course, the chance to enjoy a few of my favorite characters, including Dory.

I love Dory. Way back in the day, I remember Ellen Degeneres' stand up routine where she talked about being a goldfish with short term memory problems. It was hysterical. Seeing it translate into a character on screen is even better. But even a silly fish who can't manage to keep up with much more than her own name can pass on wisdom. At one point in the movie, Marlin is upset because he thinks he may never find his missing son, Nemo. Dory makes this suggestion...

Hey, Mr. Grump Gills!You know what you gotta do when life gets you down?Just keep swimmingJust keep swimmingJust keep swimming, swimming, swimming!It's a simple message. A silly one, even as she sings it and darts around in the ocean. But even this can be applied to life and writing.

I've been at this a while. There's big ups, big downs and a lot of mediocre dead space in between. But in the end, if you want to succeed, you've gotta keep swimming. (Singing optional.)

What's your favorite Disney cartoon? Any nuggets of wisdom you've gathered from them that you can share?

SP

Huntsville Area Book SigningIf you live in northern Alabama, one of our fabulous Mavens--Beverly Barton--is having a reading and signing of her new book Don't Cry at the Books-a-Million at 1001 Memorial Parkway in Huntsville, AL, tomorrow Saturday, August 21, from 7-9pm. Hope we see you there!

6 comments:

Though I've never seen "Finding Nemo," I can certainly identify with Dory's advice to keep swimming. I grew up in the era of Cinderella and Snow White and The Mickey Mouse Club on TV. What little girl didn't want a fairy godmother to turn a pumpkin into a coach and whisk her away to a ball where she'd find true love? Or to have Prince Charming kiss her awake and live happily ever after. My mother said I cried during Dumbo. Who wouldn't cry when a mother has her child taken away?

Though I haven't seen it in eons, I think maybe my favorite is Pinocchio because of Jiminy Cricket singing

When you wish upon a starMakes no difference who you areAnything your heart desiresWill come to you

If your heart is in your dreamNo request is too extremeWhen you wish upon a starAs dreamers do

Fate is kindShe brings to those who loveThe sweet fulfillment ofTheir secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blueFate steps in and sees you throughWhen you wish upon a starYour dreams come true

I've wished on a lot of stars and still do.

I can also spell encyclopedia thanks to that same cricket and one of his appearances on the Mickey Mouse Club.

Ah, man. Kathy did you have to post that one? Now I can't get that stupid song out of my head. I always hated those darn cats.

My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast. I've loved the story long before there was a movie. But of the "non-princess" movies, My fave it Finding Nemo. I love it. As a matter of fact, I might try to talk the kids into watching it for movie night tonight. I also love the Toy Story movies. Toy Story 3 made me cry. :)

Though not a Disney, I had to watch "Fern Gulley" over and over when my son was young. Batty Coda (Robin Williams) made me laugh - I got stuck on the "Gravity Works" he kept saying. Now I use it when something bad happens and Murphy's Law kicks in. There are some constants in the Universe - something bad will happen at the most inopportune time. But you really have to laugh and go on...